


...f 



iV.'- 



' A'L^VL..4 



CELEBRATION 



OF THE FIRST 



CENTENNIAL 



OF 



The Municipal Government 



OF THE 



CIT! OF ILEllOem. IGli, 



MARCH Q, 1880. 



JPuMisJiecZ hiy order of tTie Ctty Conncil, 



ALEXANDRIA, VA. 

PRINTED AT THE GAZETTE EOOK AND JOB OFFICE. 

1880. 






j-t 






INTRODUCTION, 



The Municipal Government of Alexandria, Virginia, was 
organized on the 13th day of July, 1749, Avith jurisdiction 
over sixty six half acre lots, comprising nine squares, and 
two public landings. These had been laid off under an Act 
of the General Assembly of the Colony of Virginia, passed 
in 1748, and the Right Honorable Thomas, Lord Fairfax, the 
Honorable William Fairfax, Esq., George Fairfax, Richard 
Osborne, Lawrence Washington, William Ramsay, John 
Carlyle, John Pagan, Gerard Alexander and Hugh West of 
Fairfax County, Gentlemen, and Philip Alexander of the 
County of Stafford, Gentleman, and their successors were 
appointed directors and trustees. This government continued 
in existence during a period of 30 years. 

The Council records from the organization of the town 
under this charter until 1794 are lost, other memoranda 
show that on the 9th of March, 1780, a new municipal 
Government went into operation, Robert Townsend Hooe 
being chosen Mayor; David Arell, John Fitzgerald, James 
Hendricks and Robert McRea, Aldermen ; Josiah Watson, 
Peter Wise, John Harper, Adam Lynn, William Hunter and 
William Bushby, Common Councilmen. 

At a regular meeting of the City Council held on Tuesday, 
evening, February 24, 1880, the following preamble, and 
resolution was adopted. 

^'Whereas, the 9th day of March, proximo, will be the 
Centennial Anniversary of the formation of the municipal 
corporation of Alexandria, 



4 

And whereas, it seems meet and proper that some notice 
should be officially taken by the City Council of said 
anniversary ; therefore, be it 

Resolved, that a committee of two from each board be 
appointed to make suitable arrangements for a public meeting 
on March 9th, and that Wm. F. Carne, Esq., be invited to 
address the said meeting on the early history of the city," 

And a joint committee, consisting of Messrs. Thomas V. 
Risheill, and Henry Strauss of the Board of Aldermen, and 
Messrs. John P. Rice, and Malcolm McLean of the Common 
Council appointed to carry them into effect."' 

The committee was organized l)y tlie election of Mr. 
Risheill as Chairman, and Messrs. F. L. Brockett, Auditor, 
and M. B. Harlow, City Treasurer, were requested to act 
with them in makino- arrann^ements for the celebration. *T'he 
Chairman being directed to inform Mr. Cai'ne of the action 
of the Council, and request his acceptance of the invitation, 
the following correspondence took place: 

Alexandria, Ya., February 2Tth, 1880. 
William F. Carxe, Esq., 
Dear Sir : 
A resolution of the City Council of Alexandria directs a 
special Committee, of wliicli I am Cliairman, to invite you to 
deliver an address at tlie celebration of the first Centennial of 
our Municipal Govei-nment, whicli will take i)lace on the 
evening of Tuesday, the ninth day of March, 1880, and lam 
happy in being the meilium of communicating this invitation 
to you. 

Yours Respectfully, 

Thomas Y. Risheill. 



5 

Alexandria, Ya.. Feby. 28th, 1880. 
Thomas V. Risheill, Esq., Chairman, kc, 
Dear Sir : 
I esteem it an honor to accept tlic invitation which your 
note of this date communicates to me. 

For over a quarter of a century much of the little leisure 
I have been able to command, has been spent in accumulating 
materials to illustrate the history of Alexandria, and whatever 
may serve to entertain the City Council on the occasion of 
its Centennial, I will cheerfully put at its service. 
And remain Yours very truly, 

William F. Carnk. 
Henry B. Whittington, Esq., being previously invited, 
consented to read an original poem, composed by himself for 
the occasion. 



The arrangements comprised a torch light procession, which 
took place in accordance with the following programme : 

The Boards of Aldermen and Common Council met in 
regular session, at seven o'clock, on Tuesday evening, March 
9, 1880, in their respective chambers. The Common Council 
appointed a committee to invite the Board of Aldermen to 
\inite with them in joint session and when in a body, proceed 
to tii^'ir position in the line of procession, on Washington 
street, and a joint meeting convened. 

Mr. James H. Reid, aid, took charge of the military and 
escorted the Mayor, City Council and other officials to 
Washino;ton street and formed the first division on the west 
side of Washington street. 

The following order was observed in 



6 
THE CENTENNIAL PROCESSION. 



TORCH BEARERS. 



POLICE. 

Jaracs F. AVebster, Captain. 
Patrick Hayes, James Smith, 

Matthew Lattin, B. F. Bettis, 

James P. Coleman. 



CHIEF MARSHAL, 

Major George Duffey. 

AIDS. 

R. W. Falls, J. H. Reid. 

ASSISTANT MARSHALS. 

S. 11. Lunt, R. S. Windsor, 

Chas. W. Summers, M. Ahern, 

P. W. Aitcheson, Thos. G. Brent, 

M. Schuler, W. H. Smith, 

II. P. Berkley, John Harlow, 

Isaac Rudd, R. Henry Simpson, 

MUSIC — ALEXANDRIA MUSICAL ASSOCIATION. 

Claironet, Prof. Baptisli, Washington, 
1st Solo Bb Cornet, Prof. Seiner, W\ashington, 
1st Cornet, Edward Winters, Alexandria, 
2nd Bb Cornet, A. H. Agnew, Alexandria, 
Eb Cornet, N II. Shuman, Alexandria, 
Baritone, P. McKnight Baldwin, Alexandria, 
1st Tenor, Sidney Douglas, Alexandria, 
2nd Tenor, Albert Aitcheson, Alexandria, 
1st Alto, Chas. W. Bell, Alexandria, 
2nd Alto, Thos. Gibson, Alexandria, 



1st Eb Bass, Alplionso Lucas, Alexandria, 
2n(l Eb Bass, Walter Whittlesey, Alexandria, 
Bass Drum, James Mansfield, Alexandria, 
Small Drum, William French, Alexandria, 
Cymbals, Edward Burns, Alexandria. 



ALEXANDRIA LIGHT INFANTE Y. 

Commissioned Officers. 
G. McBurney, Jr., First Lieut. Commanding, 

F. F. Marbury, Second Lieutenant, 

J. W. Purington, Jr., Third Lieutenant. 

Non- Commissioned Officers. 
A. McBurney, Orderly Sergeant, 

G. S. Smith, 2nd Sergeant, 
R. W. Wheat, 3rd Sergeant, 
J. H. Neale, 5th Sergeant, 
J. F. Young, Color Sergeant. 
I. M. Kell, 1st Corporal, 

T. W. Robinson, 2nd Corporal, 
L. Marbury, 3rd Corporal, 
S. L. Monroe, 4th Corporal, 
A. Snowden, 5th Corporal, 
A. J. Harper, 6th Corporal, 
A. Bryan, Tth Corporal. 

Privates. 

Adam, B. P. Grimes, T. E. 

Adam, J. L. Grillbortzer, Geo. 

Crilley, Jno. Lee, T. A. 

Darley, Geo. I^unt, J. D. H. 

Deeton, A. Masters, W. H. M. 

Downey, J. T. McEwen, Jno. 



8 



Eklriage, E. E. McLean, D. 

Fisher, G. W. Monroe, G. O, 

Fowle, B. H. Perry, M. B. 

ST. John's cadet battalion. 
"Walter B. Dent, Major Commanding, 
"William R. Springer, 1st Lieut, and Adjutant, 
Robert Lee Hoy, Color Sergeant, 
J. 0. Posey, Drummer. 

Company A. 
Wilfrid C. Potter, Captain, 
John E. DeLea, 1st Lieutenant, 
G. Douglas Carpenter, 2nd Lieutenant, 
Charles F. Morgan, 1st Sergeant, 
Charles J. Deahl, 2d Sergeant, 
Thomas Lee Ilill, 3d Sergeant, 
William H. Partlow, 1st Corporal, 
George D. Hopkins, 2nd Corporal. 
Privates. 



Thomas P. Bayne, 
A\-,«lter C. Blackiock, 
James H. Birch, 
Raymond BoAven, 
J. (Jook G. Broadus, 
William F. Carne, jr., 
William A. Chipman, 
P. Manly Clarke, 
G. W. Lee Cole, 
Frank F. DeLea, 
Ballard E. Dodd, 
Charles G. Giddings, jr., 

Marker^ 
John AV. Avery, 



Herman B. F. Heathy 
Frank S. Lucas, 
Edward ^L Laughlin, 
William E. Marks, 
Marshall J. Parker, 
Benjamin L. Partlow, 
James P. Quinn, 
Charles W. Seawell, 
Milton P. Townshend, 
John J. Walsh, 
Robert W. Wenzel, 
Elijah B. White, 

Charles Brager. 



Company B. 
Franklin J. L. Wcnzel, Captain, 
W. Frank Lambert, 1st' Lieutenant, 
Albert S. J. Price, 2nd liieutenant, 
Frederick H. Schneider, 1st Sergeant, 
Charles Bendheim, 2nd Sergeant, 
William J. Downey, 3d Sergeant, 
Charles F. Diedel, 1st Corporal, 
Cornelius J. Lally, 2nd Corporal. 
Vi'lvates. 



Solomon Blondheim, 
Landon C. Cole, 
Bernard J. Donnelly, 
Robert T. Lucas, jr. 
AYilliam H. Melchur, 
John T. Bafferty, 
Frederick Schuler, 
Westel W. Willoughby, 
Charles H. Yohe. 
Markers. 

Harry E. Lord. 

OFFICERS, SOLDIERS, SEAMEX AXD MARINES OF THE U. S. 
AND EX-C. S. ARMY AXD XAVY. 



Lewis Bendheim, 
James Callan, 
Thomas P. DeLea, 
Edward H. Kemper, 
David A. Makely, 
Frederick J. Paff, 
^Villiara J. Schuler, 
J. Edward Waddey, 
Willie F. Willoughby 



SECOXD DIVISION. 
Carriages containing the chaplain, 

Rev. J. J. Bullock, D. D., chaplain of the United States 
Senate. 

Wm. F. Carne, esq., orator. 

H. B. Whittington, esa., poet. 

Judges A. W. Chilton and C, E. Stuart. 



10 

Ex-ofFiccrs of the city. 
Ex-Di embers of Council. 
Present city officers. 
Corporation Attorney, K, Kemper, esq. 
Attorneys of tlie Commonwealtli, S. G. Brent and Edmund 
Burke, esqs. 

City Sergeant R. T. Lucas and Deputy, A. \V. iVrmstrong. 
President and Clerk of the Board of Aldermen, E. E. 
Down ham, esq., and J. J. Jamieson, esq. 
A Idermen. 
C. C. Smoot, W. S. Moore, 

W. II. Marbury, II. Strauss, 

L. W. Keid. Thos. \. Kislieill, 

John B. Smoot. 
Messeniror of the Board of Aldermen, Richard 11. Rudd. 
President and Clerk of the Common Council, J. T. Beck- 
ham, esq., and James R. Caton. esq. 

CoiTDiion Council. 
Wm. S. Moore, Isaac Eicliberi^, 

George W. Rock, Isaac A. Smith, 

W. W. Herbert, James S. Douglas. 

Hugh Latham, Malcolm McLean, 

I'hcodore II. Ficklin, Paul R. Evans, 
John P. Rice, John D. Javins, 

Joseph Broders, H. Y. Daniel, 

John W. Peake. 
Messenger of Common CouniHl, V. M. 'raylor. 

TTTY SCHOOL BOARD. 

S. C. Neale, esq.. Chairman. 

K. L. Carne, es([.. Superintendent of Public Schools. 



11 



FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

E. S, Lcadbeatcr, Chief Engineer. 
Fire Wardens. 
Geo. E. FroncJi, F. E. Corbett^ 

J. R. S?noot, Stephen Green, 

FRIENDSHIP FIFE COMPANY. 

0. C. Chicliester. Marshal. 

Joseph Clark. First Commander. 

Norman Jenkins, Second Commander. 

Orlando Ford, Third Commander. 
Organized in 1774, six years older than the day they were 
celebrating, and nearly the only landmark remaining to 
remind us of the days of our fathers. This company numbered 
30 strong, drawing the old suction and hose carriage, which, 
atlhough now cast aside as things of the past, are looked upon 
still by the members that have stuck by the company in her 
days of humiliation, with pride and veneration. 

Oficers. 

Geo. W. Henry, President. 

Jas. A. Javins, 1st Vice President. 

Jas. W. Nails, 2nd Vice President. 

Thos. E. Grimes, Recording Secretary. 

William Murtaugh, Corresponding Secretary, 

Members. 
James A. Travers, James Moore, 
George W. Drowns, Norman Jenkins, 
Wni. Vernon, Frank Bell, 

Thomas Wilburn, Wm. Whitely, 

Nimrod Nowland, Grigsby Grady, 

Wm. C. Grady, Geo. Crump, 

Thomas Darley, John Reid Cross, 

C. C. Chichester, Orlando Ford, 

John Quinn, Harry S. Brown. 



12 



SUX FIRE ('O-MPANY. 

\Vitli tlicir cngiiie, ''Bi,2; 2" as she is called, with the picture 
of Grace ]ie3mol(ls, one of Alexandria's old time ladies and 
the company's idol, painted on one side. This company was 
organized in 177-"), and like the Friendship is out of service, 
but still has a large number of devoted folloAvers. About 50 
members were out. and with the engine decorated with pictures 
and flowers presented a good appearance. George Bontz, 
Pioneer, led the company in the procession with the same axe 
that was used in the procession of 1832, George Sullivan 
and F. W. Deeton carrying the old solid silver torches, and 
on the fi^allerv of the Eno^ine was a member in Indian costume, 
an old costume of the company. The officers of the company 
are: 

Officers. 

Hugh Latham, President. 

John Sullivan, 1st Vice President. 

^I. R. Norriss, 2nd Vice President. 

Wm. C. Markell, Secretary. 

George Bontz, Axeman. 

George Duffcy, Chief Marshal. 

Hiram AVebster, Assistant Marshal. 
Members. 

Ivobert ^Yilliams, Charles LoAvry, 



Robert Travers, 
Charles Elliott, 
Andrew Sullivan. 
Frank Price, 
George Sullivan, 
E. Davies, 
Wesley Davis, 



Frank 11 award, 
Frank Deeton, 
John Bran<lers, 
John P. Rodier, 
Geo. W. Nowland, 
William Traverse^ 
George Howard, 



1^ 

C. W. Deeton, F. Mullin, 

W. C. Williams, William Wlieatley, 

John Niglitingill, Samuel W. Markell. 

George Williams, John Traverse, 

George AV. Laycock. 

HYDRAULION rTEAM FIRE CU.MPANY, 

"Old Reliable," with the motto: ''We strive to save," 
organized in 1827, next passed, fifty strong. 

Officers. 

Benjamin Barton, President. 

R. L. Carne, 1st Vice President. 

Thomas Lannon, 2nd Vice President. 

John Lannon, Secretary. 

11. J. jSTevett, Foreman. 
Every member in ncAV uniform, carried a torch. The hose 
carriage, drawn by horses, driven by John Clapdore, was 
handsomely decorated. But the engine, Joseph Young, 
engineer, W. R. Crockett, fireman, and J. Frank Taylor, 
driver, was what attracted most attention. It was drawn by 
horses and decorated with white, red and blue lights ; its 
brasses were burnished to the highest degree. It was in full 
operation, puffing and blowing, and whistling ready for 
service. 

3l€7nbers. 

Harold Berkely, Charles E. Brill, 

Ernest F. Ballenger, John Byrnes, 

Henry C. Carson, Wm. R. Crockett, 

Hugh Crockett, John Clapdore, 

Wm. II. Clarridge, Wm. F. Carne, 

George W. Dix, Thomas Dix, 

Michael Downev, Frank L. Entwisle. 



14 



James Elliott, 
John II. Geary, 
Wm. 11. Ilumpliries, 
John Ilaincs, 
James Lawrence, 
Robert H. Massey, 
Richard Purcell, 
Thos. J. Patterson, 
Herbert L. Ramey, 
Wra. G. Simpson, 
Wm. H. Smith, 
John Thomas, 



Theodore II. Ficklin. 
Peter Moy, 
Joseph Hopkins, 
0. Norfolk Kerby, 
Wallace P. Ludwick, 
Wm. M. Mills, 
George W. Petty, 
Wm. Price, 
John B. Starnell, 
John L. Smith, Sr., 
Stephen Swain, 



James M. Tennesson, 
David W. Tennesson, John A. Travers, 
Walker G. Weadon, Banner T. Young, 
Wm. Entwisle, Peter J. Henderson. 

THE PELIKF HOOK A^TJ LADDER 

was the next company, forty five members in full uniform, 
drawing their truck, and preceded by a large number of 
torcli bearers, commanded b}^ R. M. Latham, foreman. 

Officers. 

J. M. Steuart, President. 

E. II. O'Brien Vice President. 

Julian Moore, Secretary. 

Charles Picken, Recorder. 

E. R. Carl in, Treasurer. 

R. M. Latham, Foreman. 

W. Pomeroy, 1st Assistant Foreman. 

W. Rogers 2d Assistant Foreman. 
Me7nber8. 

Park Agnew, George Bossart, 

T. C. Collingsworth, G. B. Carlin, 





15 


IT. Y. Daniels. 


George Wise, 


John T. Evans, 


Samuel Tleiiry, 


l^evi Hurdle, 


Charles Howard, 


11. 11. Harper, 


Alexander Lyles, 


Vernon Moore, 


C. U. Moore, 


Jolin Ponieroy, 


James Pick en, 


Charles Smith, 


E. Warfield, 


Frank Warfield, 


W. R. AVarfield. 



This company as usual presented a fine appearance, and 
the truck looked ornamental as well as useful. 

CLARKSOX'S CORNET BAND. 

Prof. E. II. Clarkson, 

Joseph Padgett, 2nd Eb Cornet, 

E. K. Sampson, 1st Bb Cornet, 

Richard Owens, 2nd Bb Cornet, 

Jacob Brill, Solo Alto, 

John W. Grantland, 1st Alto, 

William Owens. 2nd Alto, 

Wm. D. Chichester, Tenor, 

H. C. Nails, Baritone, 

S. A. Bartle, Bb Bass, 

John P. McDermott, Eb Bass, 

Joseph Hardy, Bass Drum, 

Wm. Posey, Snare Drum, 

R. Lee Wilkins, Cymbals. 

TflE COLUMBIA STEAM FIRE COMPANY 

was the next in order, organized in 1871, fifty strong, 
preceeded by twenty eight torch bearers, W. H. Bartle, 
foreman in command. The hose carriage of the company, 
drawn by men, was splendidly decorated. Then the engine. 



16 

■\vliicli gave evidence of thorougli preparation, drawn by 
liorses ; — Loudoun Campbell, engineer; H. B. Shock, fireman, 
and Henry Posey, <Iriver. The harness were as bright as it 
could be, and the engine was adorned with red lights, blue 
lights and white lights, and the smoke stack illuminated with 
a blaze of fire that could be seen afar. 

Officers. 

Malcolm ]\IcLean, l^'csident. 

K. W. Falls, 1st A^icc President. 

D. W. Prettyman. 2nd Vice President. 

M. II. Janney, Treasurer. 

S. T. Jenkins, Secretary. 

Andrew^ Dceton, Assistant Secretary. 
Executive Committee. 
Thomas Leadbeater, Wm. A. Smoot, ' George Uhler. 

Joseph Hardy, Foreman. 

Jan;ies Mansfield, Commander of Hose. 

AVm. B. Bartle, 1st Assist. Commander of Hose. 

J. Carlin Creighton, 2nd Assist. Commander of Hose. 
Pip em en. 

John McCuen, Charles Dufi'c}^, 

C. J. W. Summers, George Duffey, 

James Smith, Benjamin Hughes. 

Loudoun Campbell, Engineer. 

Henry Posey, Driver. 

K. W. Wheat, Fireman, 

N. B. Shirley, 1st Assistant Fireman. 

John Grantland, 2nd Assistant Fireman. 
Members. 

R. C. Acton, C. W. Ashby, 

W. F. Creighton, Alexander Crason, 



17 



J. T. Devaughn, 
Cieorge E. Frencli, 
George German, 
(Jharles llard^^, 
James Hughes, 
K. 0. Lee, 
Charles Mankin, 
Georsre Meeks, 
Thomas V. Risheill, 
Michael Rilej, 
Thomas Lyles, 
J. F. Ticer, 
II. L. Ticer, 
Joseph Wilkerson, 
A. Warren, 
(ieorge Appich, 

John 



II. C. Davis, 
C. E. Glover, 
Edgar Hughes, 
John W. Peake, 
John H. Strider, 
Donald McLean, 
Noble McKennj, 
J. F. Peyton, 
A. T. Ramsay, 
Wni. Rushman, 
James Sampson, 
A. Taylor, 
Andrew West, 
James Walker, 
Thomas Warren, 
K. Kemper, 
B. Smoot. 



The procession moved about 7-30 o'clock, proceeding along 
the following route : down Cameron to Fairf;ix, Fairfax to 
King, King to Alfred, Alfred to Prince, Prince to Fairfax,. 
Fairfax to Duke, Duke to Washington, Washington to King, 
King to Sarepta Hall. When the procession passed the corner 
of King and Royal streets it presented a solid body of light. 
Amid fire works, the firing of crackers, and the waving of 
flags, and torches and lanterns on either side of the street, it 
proceeded on its way, presenting a scene that has been equalled, 
but never excelled. 

Prior to the arrival of the procession at the hall the, 
following ushers were in attendance to assign seats to the 
ladies, who are especially invited to grace the occasion by their 



18 

presence: J. Marriott Hill, J. Calvin Smith, C. A. Yolie, 
Capt. R. ^Y. Wirt, Julian F. Henderson, Willie Coleman and 
G. Swaine, each wearing a white rosette. 

Arriving at Sarepta Hall, the soldiers and firemen filed in, 
where were already assembled ladies to a large number, 
gracing the occasion with their presence. Seated on the 
platform were Kev. Dr. Bullock, W. F. Carne, H. B. 
VVhittington, T. Y. Kisheill, Henry Strauss, M. McLean, 
John P. Rice, City Treasurer M. B. Harlow, Auditor F. L. 
Brockett, John B. Smoot, Henry W. Marbury, S. C. Neale, 
Judge W. W. Willoughby, Edmund Burke, S. G. Brent, E. 
E. Downham, President of the Board of Aldermen, J. T. 
Beckham, President of the Common Council, Col. L. W. Reid, 
Judge Charles E. Stuart, ex-Mayor K. Kemper, Maj. Geo. 
Duffey, City Sergeant Lucas, and a host of other gentlemen, 
including the members of the City Council. 

After music, by the Musical Association, E. E. Downham, 
esq., in the absence of Mayor Courtland H. Smith, as 
President of the Board of Aldermen, called the meeting to 
order, saying : '*In consequence of the absence of his Honor, the 
Mayor, the very pleasant duty of calling this meeting to order 
devolves u})on me, as President of the Board of Aldermen 
and acting Mayor. I only desire to state that in order to 
assure that the exercises of this evening may be conducted with 
the decorum which so impressive an occasion demands, it is 
important that strict order should be observed while the 
exercises of tlie evening are in progress. With these 
suggestions we will now proceed with our programme. I take 
very great pleasure in introducing to this audience the Rev. 
Dr. J. J. Bullock, Chaplain of the Senate of the Ignited 
States, who will lead us in Praver." 



19 

Rev. J. J. Bullock, I). D. then offered up an eloquent and 
fervent prayer to the throne of Divine Grace, acknowled'nn^ 
the Grand First Cause as the Giver of all good gifts, and in 
thanksgiving for the blessings that had been bestowed upon 
the city; invoking a similar bestowal upon it of Divine grace ; 
that it might be preserved from fire and sword, pestilence and 
famine, and ignorance and superstition. During the praver 
all the occupants of the platform stood, with lowered heads. 

Henry B. Whittington, esq., one of Alexandria's oldest and 
most respected citizens, whose virtues are only equalled by 
his modesty, read the following beautiful poem, composed by 
himself for the occasion, which was received by the large 
audience with enthusiastic applause: 

THE CENTENNIAL POEM. 

A hundred years ! what scope the theme aifords, 
What thronging memories greet those uttered words— 
What joyous hopes — what agonising fears — 
Are buried 'neath this century of years. 
Imagination staggers in its flight. 
And when attaining to its utmost height ; 
With folded wings, surveys the vast domain- 
Then redirects its course to earth again, 
Assured that more than mortal he must be 
That dares to fathom this immensity, 
But while deploring ftmcy's feeble powers, 
To grasp in full the deeds of by-gone hours ; 
A nd to embody all that' s good and great 
That's appertaining to the church and state ! 
There still remains— and patient toil will find- 
Enough to satisfy the loftiest mind. 
When o'er the sea Columbus spread his sail, 
To catch the breathings of each gentle gale; 
With hope to cheer, and steady taith to urge. 
He steered his bark through every angry surge. 
Till days and weeks on the wild waste were spent — 
And patient longing grew to discontent ; — 
What interest clustered round that one short day 
Which he demanded, ere his course he'd stay — 



20 

7uitli fjiltei'pd an*l liopo r.oared dispcndency, 

AVhen from tlio "Top-iiiftst" Land Ho ! came the cry. 

But when he saw his country"? flag unfurl*^d, 

Upon the confines of this western world — 

What proud emotions stirred that noble breu*t, 

When leapini^ froni his little bark, he pressed 

The virgin soil, and kneeling on the sod 

There reared an Altar to the Christian's God. 

Ah, little did he think what grand acclainu 

In after years would greet that honored name ; 

That millions, yet unborn, would rise to pay 

Their homage to the man who lead the way 

Across the trackless deep, to worlds unknown, 

AVhich now has neither potentate nor throne — 

But where, as one united family, 

We rest beneath the banner of the free I 

Here is our lot, tmd "neath the fostering care 

Of old Virginia! we" re content to share 

Her fame and fortunes, and no more to rove 

From the dear object of our heart" s first love. 

Virginia! home of Washington and Lee, 

Mother of states and statesmen, can it bt — 

That e'er a son of thine shall recreant i)rove 

To the pure instincts of maternal love! 

Can one so base be found as to regard 

Thy honor, second to his own reward ? 

O ! breathe it not, let charity prevail. 

And ere our brother's motives we assail. 

Remember how on many a bloody day, 

They bared their bosoms in the ens<^nguined frav, 

Till starved and powerless they were forced to yield ;. 

Upon the fated Appomattox field ! 

Then, while their means and measures we deplore. 

Let's seek by peaceful eftbrts to secure 

That amity, that tolerance can diffuse, 

ilegardless of antagonistic views. 

Auspicious hour ! the day we celebrate. 

Which gave a corporate city to the State, 

That thenceforth in its annals should be k/u>wn, 

And registered, a.> Alexandria Town ! 



•21 

"Ti.s meet that wo her sous thi.s <liiy shoul:! y)ring. 

From lovino- heart.-, a votive offering; 

Asseverating^ for the years to come, 

T"n>\v»'rving fealty t<i our home, sweet lionie. 

Here tlie friends we love jire sheltered, 

And the haunts we prize are found ; 

And to many an aged veteran 

It is consecrated ground. 

AVliile by 'e"en tlic passing stranger, 

'Tis accredited to be: 

The abode of worth and beauty 

And true hospitality. 

A hundred years I could we by some strange fate- 

8ome mental alchemy — at once translate 

The scene? and actors of those olden daj-s, 

Tiie men and manners and their means and ways 

And place them here where every eye could see, 

The forms and features of their ancestry! 

What mutual surprises would we trace, 

At this remingling of our common race ! 

The modern wath the old, and who will say — 

Witii all our vaunted progress and display ; 

That probity and viitue stand as high 

As WMth our fathers in the days gone by ! 

With force of steam and 'mid the lighting's play, 

Are we not seeking for some easier way — 

Some smoother paths than which our fathers trod 

To deal with human kind and honor God ! 

Are there not men of science and renow^n. 

With mightest etlbrt, striving to pull down 

The noblest fabric ever reared for man, 

Embodying the one and only plan 

By which a guilty universe may be, 

Fully restored to its lost purit3\- 

But better things bespeak we for our town, 

Which, while sustaining well the great renown 

Of former days for noble charities, 

Is unsurpassed in its amenities. 

Here virtue and intelligence abound. 

And here amid the masses still are founJ 



«>.-> 



^8 gallant spirits f\s e'er gazed upon 

The noble features of our Washington f 

For hither he in olden days would come, 

The jruest of many an Alexandria home. 

His chosen lodge, the sacred church wh«re he- 

In veneration bowed the suppliant knee, 

Are in our midst as landmarks to descry 

The immortal name that was not born to die. . 

But since that period many a blight has come 

To change the current of the city's hum ; 

Then on our thoroughfares from day to day 

Was heardHhe rumbling of the loaded dray, 

Bearing its precious burden to the shore, 

Where mid the music of th« stevedore, 

By nimble hands in stately ships 'twas stored 

And then, with hatches down and all aboard, 

Out in the stream, with flags and pennons gay 

They dropped, then speeded on their distant way- 

Now silence reigns where once tliat busy throng, 

Lightened their labors with both jest and song. 

And even Fishtown, with its classic name. 

Has lost the jDre^'tige of its ancient fame. 

Where now in UKxlern times do we behold 

Those staunch built wagons which were seen of old,- 

Freighted with the best products that prevail 

In Rockingham and Shenandoah's vale? 

AIhs! these splendid,- sturdy six horse teams 

Have yielded to the locomotive's screams. 

Nor will we ever in the years to come 

Hear Murray's tile or Peter Logan's drum, 

As the long columns^ ready for the fray, 

Came issuing forth on general muster day, 

Nor look on Joseph Williams, alias Goat, 

With galhmt Tim arrayed in martial coat, 

Or see Nick Kansall hindmost in the train, 

Whose like we ne'er shall look upon again. 

These,, with a thousand pictures we recall, 

Which mutely hang in memory's sacred hall. 

Awaken feelings in their brief review, 

Like Ossian's odes, pleasing yet mournful too- 



23 

Thv\s far we ve come yet not one single lino 
Povoted to the sex most like divine ; 
Then, with tlieir pardon we will reproduce, 
And thus adapt tiiem to our present use, 
Some lines, we had the pleasure once to send, 
In a familiar letter to a friend. 

For where in this world, seek the universe through, 
Where'er tljere's a mission of mercy to do, 
Or where the sad heart needs the tenderest care, 
To save from the fathomless gulf of despair, 
Can such exhibitions of pure love be found 
As those which in woman's kind nature abound ? 
O woman ! the pride and the glory of earth, 
What mortal would ventui"e to measure thy worth ? 
As well may we turn to the sands of the sea, 
In order to tell what their numbers may be ; 
W soaring aloft through the limitless air. 
Attempt to unravel the mysteries there — 
A-- with our restricted resources, to scan. 
Tills treasure, entrusted b^' heaven to man ! 
And now I imagine you laugh in your sleeve, 
And though not incredulous, scarce can perceive 
How one who so long has been struggling through life, 
Without the encouraging smiles of a wife, 
Can hold such exalted opinions, while he 
Still steers his lone Bark o'er celebacy's sea! 
Why bless you, the truth is I loved all so well, 
That it were a difficult matter to tell 
Which one of a very large number I' d choose, 
Provided they did not my offer refuse- 
Dear home of my youth, with what thrilling emotion, 
!^[y heart e'er responds at the sound of thy name : 
And 3'ieldingto none for an ardent devotion 
To aught that redounds to thy honor and fame 
May peace and prosperity ever attend thee, 
And long coming ages thy virtues record ; 
With love to adorn and stout hearts to defend thee, 
A lasting renown be thy glorious reward. 



24 

In introducing^ the orator the cliainaun aaiu'^It now affords 
me great pleasure to introduce to you tlie orator on this 
occasion, a gentleman who need< no introduction to Jin 
Alexandria audience, [as the name is an household \Yord in 
almost every Alexandria home, as is evidenced hy the presence 
of so goodly a number of the ''Cadets of St. John's Academy," 
of which R. L. Came, esq., is Principal.] I now introduce to 
you Wm. F. Came esq., the orator of the evening. 

Mr. Came, delivered an appropriate speech, which was 
listened to throughout with profound attention and elicited 
frequent applause. 



CENTENNIAL ORATION. 

I esteem it high honor to speak of my native town, between 
two of its centuries, in the presence of its chief officers, its 
councils, so many of my fellow townsmen, and these fair ladies, 
whose presence here to-night reminds us that though times 
may change and centuries pass, Alexandria will always be 
Bellehaven. 

Called by the City Council to recount the deeds of a 
hundred years, I assume the task the more willinglj^ because 
I am confident that all the demerit of the narration will be 
absorbed by the interest of the theme which I present ; that 
you will not expect from me tne flight nor the scream of the 
eagle, not even the wood-bird's notes, such as have just 
fallen from the poet; but will be content that I shall sit like 
a town sparrow on your window sill and twitter of home. 

It is now one hundred years ago, since on the 9th day of 
March, 1780, Robert Townsend flooe and eleven other burghers 
of Alexandria met together in the upper room of the building 
which stood formerly at the north east corner of the market 



25 



square, near the intersection of Fairfax a\v\ Cameron streets, 
and organized the government of which you, gentlemen of tlie 
City Councils, are the representatives to-day. Alexandria 
was then over thirty years old, and civilization had cultivated 
the fiekls and reaped the harvests here of over one hundred 
years. It is proper, then, that I review hriefly the circum- 
stances of the settlement, mark the transition of the land on 
which we stand from savage to civilized dominion ; trace, from 
the virgin forest, through the slave-planted tobacco fields, 
the rise and progress of that community that now amid marts 
and fiictories, schools and churches celebrates its Centennial. 
In July, 1^08, Capt. John Smith, and fourteen companions 
explored the Potomac. They, first of all the race of Japheth, 
looked upon the spot which we call home. The face of the 
river-side was exceedingly beautiful, as it reflected into the 
waters the shadows of summer's luxuriant foliage. Two 
hundred and fifty years of civilization and culture have 
wrought a mighty change upon the wild beauty that then 
entranced the voyager's eye. Dense forests, overtopping a 
vast undergrowth of wild vegetation, covered the land, and 
grew quite to the river's edge, giving way here to a lowland 
pocoson, and here yielding to a wide creek or smaller streamlet, 
whilst here and there an impenetrable swamp, rich in the 
bloom of water-loving flowers, and aftbrding habitation and 
food for the stately swan and the ungainly crane, intervened 
between the woodland heights. The forests were the abode 
of numberless birds, of difi-erent hues, and the melody from 
the leafy choir swelled in sweet but varied harmony. Some 
of the species of birds yet revisit us with summer ; others fled 
with the red men, before the falling forests, and will return 
no more. Beavers built their dams upon the running streams. 



26 

Otters and martens, mingled with minks, raccoons antl 
opossums, deer, bears and foxes, roamed the woods, whilst in 
the thicket the wolf made his den, and the savage panther found 
a lair. The running streams were alive with fish, and when 
the warmth of s})ring brought the schools of the sea up into 
the shallower waters of the land, the paddle of the canoe 
would kill numbers, as it struck the waters. 

The early history of all people are periods of adventure and 
of interest that are but feebly represented at later periods of 
their history, and Alexandria is no exception to the rule. 
Come, from the Senate chamber, in which the venerated voice 
you have just heard, is so often raised in invocation, and pass the* 
Rotunda in the direction of the House of Representatives. 
On the right you may see the painting in which the genius of 
an Alexandria artist, [Chapman] portrays the Baptism of 
Pocahontas. Observe the figure in the gallery just beside 
the pillar above the chancel. It is a boyish-looking man, 
scarce yet reached his manhood. It is Henry Spillman, the 
first guide of civilization over the region where we are now 
gathered. He had been, when a child, saved from massacre 
and protected by Pocahontas, and living with the Indians had 
learned their tracks by the river side, and in the latter por- 
tion of liis life commanded a Potomac vessel which carried 
on trade with tlie Indians of this neighborliood. whom Capt. 
John Smith had visited in 1608. Capt. Smith's history of 
Alexandria was a very short one ; it was contained in nine 
words, "At Toags they did their best to content us." Those 
Toags, whose names with the freedom of frontier orthography, 
are called "Toags, Doeggs, Boags and Dogues," were the 
first occupants of the land where Alexandria stands. Above 
on the other side of tl\e Potomac were the Nocostins, and 



27 

below Neabsco, the Potowomekes. These tribes have long 
disappeared, but they have left their baptisms on our streams, 
while 

"Amid the forest where they roamed, 
There rings no hunter's shout; 

There name is on your waters, 
And ye may not wash it out." 
The Necostins have a memorial above in the Anacostia 
river, and in Analostan Island ; the mighty stream at our 
feet compels us to commemorate the Potowomekes, and below 
Mount Vernon, Dogue run keeps its historic trust for the red 
race beside the tomb of Washington. These Indians were 
driven away in 1676, by the fierce onslaught made upon the 
red-men, which originated to protect the settlements against 
savage inroads, culminated in the war against Governor 
Berkley, and expired as Bacon's Rebellion. 

A few years before, in 1669, Robert Howison had obtained 
a patent for the land on which Alexandria stands, and had 
sold the patent to John Alexander, a Stafford planter, for 
six thousand pounds of tobacco. The first known settlement 
on this patent was made in 1695, by Thomas Pearson * upon 
Pearson's Island. The staple proJuct of the time was 
tobacco, and fields of this comforting weed soon succeeded the 
primeval forests ; there is not an acre within town-limits that 
has not produced its hundred weight of good Oronoko. 
Tobacco required a tobacco warehouse, and in 1031 the Hunt- 
ing Creek warehouse was built by the county authorities of 
Prince William County on the high bluff that then overlooked 



*The fine Ph3^sique and brilliant imagination of his descendant, 
"Chiisseur," our late representative in the General Assembly, represents 
the blood of the pioneer settler. 



"28 

the river near where the eity gas- works now stand, "on the 
first branch above Hunting Creek." Around this' warehouse 
gathered the hamlet of Belhaven. At this hamlet in 
1749, "Wra. Ramsay, John Carlyle and their associates found- 
ed the town of Alexandria. The descendants of these gen- 
tlemen now among us show thut Alexandria has every reason 
to be proud of the men who laid the foundations of the town. 
Their names are synonyms of integrity. The town thus 
originated grew around the tobacco warehouse and was laid 
out amid old fields from which tobacco had sucked the virgin 
fertility. The town plat was the very picture of colonial 
loyalty, — the Hoi/al and Fairfax family names ran side by 
side in its two long streets which were crossed by the short 
streets bearing the Fairfax title: — Cameron and those of King 
and Queen, Prince and Princess, Duke and Dutchess. 
The town grew up amid restrictions on commerce and fetters 
on manufactures which it seems now incredible that any 
community schooled in Magna Oharta could have borne, but 
the colonists in Alexandria like Anglo Saxons everywhere, 
had a profound respect for law. They submitted to these 
restrictions because they were accustomed to them, and as 
they were pressed by French power, and in constant dread of 
the Indians, who still lingered near, they expected British aid, 
and thought the profits, which England made by a monopoly 
of their trade, was a high price to pay for such assistance, 
— but it was at least a price paid for something. But when 
Braddoek came, and the British troops instead of protecting 
the colonists had been compelled to rely on the Colonial 
troops to protect them, the feeling changed. Braddoek had 
come and gone — the town folks and country people having 
relied upon themselves for defence against the Indians and 



29 

J'reneli, feit able, in a just cause, to meet the world in arms 
on their own soil. Hence these restrictions on navigation 
and manufactures annoyed them. They felt that tor a nation 
to be free it would be sufficient that she willed it. They 
bore the load because they were accustomed to it, but one 
straw to which they were not used would break the carael's 
back. That straw came in the stamp act, and we may look 
with just pride at Alexandria's part in that day. 

The stamp act was to be put in operation on the 1st of 
November, 1765. Alexandria was then represented in the 
House of Burgesses by George Johnston, he was one of the 
town trustees, and at his home on the corner of Prince and 
Lee streets he prepared resolutions for nullifying that act of 
Parliament. It is the tradition of his family that the habitual 
gravity of liis demeanor seemed, after the news of the stamp 
act reached Alexandria, to grow yet more intense, and 
that after a lon^ examination uf the En^rlish law, he wrote the 
resolutions which Patrick Henry, shortly afterwards, iiitro- 
duced into the House of Burgesses. It is said that on com- 
pleting the resolutions he showed the paper to his Avife, say- 
ing: — ''This paper may cost me my life, yet it is the truth 
dnd whether or not any one sustain me I will not turn back." 
He wont with Washington, who was also a delegate, to Wil- 
liamsburg in May. Mr. Wirt narrates, and he is universally 
fallowed, that Henry drew his resolutions upon the blank leaf 
of a volume of ''Coke upon Littleton." Therecan be no doubt 
v/hatcver that Johnston came from Alexandria to the House 
determined to offer such resolutions and thoroughly prepared 
with copious argument and authorities to support them. Cer- 
tain it is that wdien Henry's vehement voice was raised on 
that memorable occasion, fmd "Treason! Treason!" resounded 



so 

amid the excited crowd, Johnston took liis st-.md ahjngside 
of Patrick Henry, — When Henry stepped to the front, John- 
ston stood beside him. When Henry spoke the startling 
words, whose echoes are yet unspent, Johnston chimed cahnly 
\ii — as lo^ncal as clear, identical in spirit, one in tone, not as 
brilliant, but more practical, as when— 

''After the tocsin's alarum — 
Distinctly the clock strikes/' 

This Avas Alexandria's share on that momentous day. 
George Johnston died the year following. Had he lived he 
would have been one of the leading statesmen of the Revolu- 
tion. He was succeeded in your Councils, Mr. President of 
the Board of Aldermen, Mr. President of the Common Coun- 
cil, by Georye Wasliington. 

There was for awhile a lull in town— -a lull in the British 
Eaipire. But a few circling years, and again the omnipotence 
of Parliament was asserted— the tea was overboard, the port 
of Boston closed, and the gale whicli swept from the north- 
ward brouo^ht the ''clash of resounding arras. Amid the 
tumult of anxiety, a calm Sabbatli dawned on Alexandria. 
The hot July sky was fair overhead, and tlie grass was green 
in Christ Church yard. The sermon was just over, and men 
loitered to listen to what Colonel Washington would say. 
He was known to be an ardent patriot, but it was known, too, 
that he was opposed to the re-election of Colonel Broadwater 
■who was in favor of resistance, and he was inclined to support 
his friend, Bryan Fairfax, who counselled submission. He 
loitered awhile and talked, as he loitered, to a party of gentle- 
men upon the green. He was chairman of the committee 
appointed at the last June court to draft a platform on which 
Fairfax and Alexandria should stand. "What does he say ?" 



.^1 

asks a bystander, '^Hc is for resist nice ! Tliat means figiit." 
And then, tliere on Clirist Churcli green a nation was 
conceived. 

As the nniiruet draws the iron, anotlier scene in Christ 
Church Yard leaps the barrier of a hundred yenrs, and demands 
that I speak of it. ft is another Sabbath morn, the same sky 
is overhead : tlic fields are fresh with tlie flowers of May ; tlie 
grass is still i^reen. A jrrave, revered commander who has 
sheathed his sword that he may have time to think, time to 
consider, time to pray, comes out of the hallowed edifice. A 
party of gentlemen approach him ; they press upon him the 
peril of the time; they urge upon him that when all other 
swords are drawn his must leap out, and lead the people. 
There on the same Christ Church green, Robert E. Lee gave 
his tacit acceptance of the command, which he afterwards put 
into words before the General Assembly of the Commonwealth. 
"Trusting in Almighty God, an approving conscience, and 
tlie aid of my fellow citizens, I devote myself to the service 
of my native State, in whose behalf alone will I ever again 
draw my sword." And there, on Christ Church green, where 
Washington pronounced for resistance to British arms, Robert 
B. Lee accepted the command of the armies of the Common- 
wealth. Come, Paszeant Kings, with thy Field of the Clotli 
of Gold, and this field of grass that waves above our dead beside 
Christ Church shall give us nobler lessons,— stirring the heart 
as the field of Marathon— full of freedom as the plain of Runny- 
mede. It is a hallowed ground. Not because Washington in 
victory founded a nation — not because Lee in defeat left — only 
a grave, but because two honest men, lifted by Providence as 
guides to their people, each here, saw duty demand personal 
sacrifice, and threw themselves into the fire that burned on 



the altar of tlieir country. ( Applause.) Not cktser docs the 
ivy cling to the walls of that venei'ated pile than hangs around 
it the memories of Washington and Lee. (Applause.) It is 
the heart of the town. Its lesson is the lesson of the century.' 
Alexandria sent to the Continental Army many of her sons 
to die on the field of battle. Washington was honorary 
captain of the Volunteer company formed in 1 775, which 
offered to follow him to Cambridge when he was chosen 
Commander in Chief of ihe United Colonies, and, later amid 
the darkest days of the war, there marched away to the 
Jerseys a company, wdiose flag, red with a yellow centre, 
inscribed with black, ''IX Virginia Ri-:GrMENT, — Alexan- 
dria Company," was burned at the conflagration of the 
Market house in 1871. 8uch, (addressing the military) 
citizen soldiers, were the men ^vho were trained into soldiers 
on the streets which liave been 3^our drill ground. Your 
town's military record was begun when Stewai-t's troop went 
intoBraddock's twenty nine strong and left twentv-flve dead 
on the fleld of battle. Among tliose who died with Braddock 
was Thomas Longden, ancestor of the editors of the Gazette. 
Their epitaph is in the bulletin of the day : "the Virginia 
oflBcers and troops behaved like men and died like soldiers." 
Sparta had no worthier one. Alexandria soldiers died at 
Quebec with Wolfe, at Princeton under Mercer, and during 
the war with Mexico, home they brought our soldier dead to 
lay in the council chamber of the city. 

If words were tears I would speak of our dead on the 
field of battle in later days. No centennial of the town would 
be complete that did not reverently mention the names of 
W. T. Morrill, Wash. M. Harper, A. J. Humphreys, John J. 
Addison, Ad. Saunders, Wm. E. Gray, Frank II. Abbot, R. 



33 

H. Green, Hugh S. Ilite, Eph. W. Hartley, Ludwell L. 
Hutchison, Conny Johnson, Dan'l M. Lee, Sam'l McMurran, 
Theo. A. Partlow, Sam'l B. Paul, Thos. Sangster, J. H. L. 
Sangster, John M. Swann, Thomas B. Turner, E. V. Fairfax, 
John S. Hart, Wilson Turner, W. H. Dulany, James A. 
Proctor, James E. Molair, John Allison, Joseph Bushby, 
Joseph Calmes, John T. Cook, Benj. F. Emmerson, Hezekiah 
Kidwell, Wm. T. Padgett, Jos. B. Penn, Andrew F. Skid- 
more, George T. Warfield, Albert Wools, John Greenwood, 
W. Duncan, J. W. Ivors, Patrick Doyle, Daniel Dohony, 
John Honnigan, Patrick Harrigan, James Keating, John 
Murphy, William Purcell, William Haywood, Thomas V. 
Fitzhugh, Edwin G. Barbour, Jonah W. Baldwin Ed. S. 
Beachara, Robert Buchanan, Charles Burgess, Wra. H. Boyer, 
Clinton Ballenger, Frank Ballenger, Wm. A. Castleman, Wm. 
J. Higdon, Chas. E. Hunter, Wm. A. Loveless, Wm. H. 
Lunt, Patrick Lannon, John T. Mills, John S. Murray, Benj. 
Padgett, James R. Sowers, Wm. Terrett, Hayden Fewell, 
Rhody Whittington, S. W. Pressman, G. C. Adie, andRich'd 
Owens. I return to my narrative: 

Before the Revolution closed the new principles demanded 
new political organizations, and after Saratoga and before 
Yorktown, while Clinton was beating at the gates of Charles- 
ton, the present municipal government was organized. On 
the 9th of March, 1780, the new government went into 
operation, with Robert Townshend Hooe as Mayor, David 
Arell as Recorder, John Fitzgerald, James Hendricks, William 
Bushby, Robert McCrae, Aldermen ; Wm. Hunter, John 
Harper, Josiah Watson, Peter Wise, Adam Lynn and Robert 
Conway, Common Council. 

The town at that time stood on a level from ten to fifteen 
feet higher than at present. It was laid out on a hill top, 



34 

which extended in a nearly unbroken phiin from Oronoko 
creek and marsh, on the north and northwest to the river 
shore on the east, and to what was called ''White Oak Swamp," 
that ran along the southwest and south. Very low meadows 
and swampy lands separated this hill top from another beyond 
the marshy grounds. To the east the contour of the hill, on 
which the town was built, corresponded with the river beach, 
to which it had originally ascended precipitously, but which 
had, by 1776, been cut away for all of the streets between 
Wolfe and Oronoko, to run down an inclined plain to the 
river. The river then formed a cove in front of the hill, 
similar to those it yet makes north and south of it. It curved 
in from Fishtown to Lee street at the foot of the Mansion 
House hill, and then away in a curve southwest to the Long 
Wharf. On this hill top lay the scattered houses which made 
up the town. All the shipping business was done at the two 
points at the end of the coves, where warehouses and wharves 
extending to deep water had been built Cameron street was 
the principal street, the Court House and Market were upon 
it, and crossing Oronoko Creek at Pitt street, by a bridge, it 
extended to Christ Church, then twenty years old. On the 
same street, opposite the market, at the northwest corner of 
its intersection with Royal street, stood the Royal George 
Hotel, a frame hostelry, then used as a recruiting station for 
the Army of Independence. To the east of the market the 
large stone Herbert House, dominated the smaller frames that 
lay around and overtopped the modest Court House and Jail 
that stood on the market square opposite. King, Queen, 
Princess, Prince, Duke and Wolfe and Wilkes streets in one 
direction, and Fairfax, Royal and Pitt and St. A^aph streets 
in the other, were the only streets. There was not a pave- 
ment on any of them. 



The town thus founded was designed to be a commercial 
town ; to make far off shores and distant people, the ministers 
of its prosperity. A ship was deemed its proper device, and 
in selecting an emblem to be placed upon its seal, the council 
depicted there the good sliip Alexandria, — every sail set and 
every pennon flying, with an even balance at her mainmast- 
head, setting out to cruise for fortune. 

The first business of tlie new government concerned the 
grading of streets, so that the river might be reached on easv 
grades through all of them ; for, in 1780, except the roadways 
by which Oronoko street reached Point West and Duke street 
sloped to point Lumley, tiiere was no way to reach the river 
shore except the rough and precipitous inclines cut through 
the high bluff which overtopped the river side. The earth 
cut from the hills was used in filling up the cove in front of 
the town; ''banking out" the process was called. While this 
grading was in progress, before porches could be completed, 
and while temporary steps and ladders furnished access to the 
doors, a number of the fast young men says Parson Weems, 
in the ''Drunkard's Looking Glass," got upon a spree. The 
carts employed to haul the dirt and fill out the ground between 
Water and Union streets, were at rest by the river side, and 
the wells from which with windlass and buckets the inhabitants 
drew their supply of water, quiet as they had been, at mid- 
night in a respectable, thrifty, law loving town. The young 
men took the ladders and steps and threw them into the wells, 
and ran the carts so far into the river, that, when high tide 
came with morning, no vestige of them could be seen. There 
was early falling, as well as early rising the next morning, 
for the first comer to the door generally pitched out. The 
ropes broke at the clogged wells, and there was no coffee at 
breakfast, because no water could be procured. Thecartmen 



36 

swore that the devil had made way with their carts, and a 
town so bewildered and worried might well set the old Parson 
wondering with Shakspeare, that "men should put an enemy 
into their mouths to steal away their brains." The matter 
was soon discovered, the cartmen recovered their carts, and 
the young men lost their characters. They were heavily 
fined. I heard, years since, one of the sufferers say that it 
cost him two months' salary, and that, for months afterwards 
most of the young men of the city were short of funds, and 
as a rule the young ladies in town that year received no 
Christmas gifts. 

The town having been graded and the streets to the west 
of St. Asaph, south of Wilkes and north of Oronoko, having 
been laid off by the proprietors, John Alexander, and his 
executors, the paving of streets was begun in 1795. This 
work of grading and paving is still going on. Let us hope 
that better times will soon enable the City Council to grade 
and pave every street within the city limits. 

Our commerce grew apace after the close of the Revolution. 
The Federal Constitution by establishing a uniform tariff of 
duties, relieved the town from the annoying competition of 
Georgetown and Bladensburg under the low state-tariff of 
Maryland and placed the foreign trade of the town on what 
our fathers believed to be a firm basis. Soon came the war 
with France in 1799, and many of our finest vessels were 
captured by the cruisers of the republic. This was the first 
blow at our ocean commerce. France afterwards paid the 
United States for these vessels, but the money was never paid 
to our shipowners. Had this capital been restored to our 
shipping interest, Alexandria might have continued with some 
hope of success its competition with Baltimore, then its 
commercial rival. Then came the terrible yellow fever of 



1803 which made a lazar house of the river front, and carried 
off one in ten of the Alexandrians that dwelt between Fairfax 
street and the river. The shipping business had scarcely 
recovered from this, when in 1809 the embargo of President 
Jefferson tied up the laden ships to the wharves, whence 
business had ceased, — 

"As idle as a painted ship upon a painted ocean." 
In a few few years more the war waged with Great Britain 
for free trade and sailor's rights, made the port and its 
commerce a prey to the British Frigates Euryalus and Sea- 
Horse, which in August, 1814, sailed up the Potomac with 
bomb ketches and captured the town. 

This surrender was censured at the time by the heedless 
who are more disposed to blame than to examine. President 
Madison gave his official sanction to the groundless imputation 
upon the Municipal Government, but a committee of the 
Common Council presented the public an array of facts 
which silenced calumniators of our people. It was shown 
that the town relied upon its defence against an attack 
by water, upon Fort Warburton, situated where Fort 
Washint^ton now stands, and that the militia of the 
town and neighborhood had, days before, been called 
out by a levy en masse, and marched away ; that the United 
States officer in charge of the fort blew up the works and 
carried off the garrison, on the approach of the British frigates, 
giving the fleet free access to the front of the town, in which 
there were only women, children and a few old men. The 
capture was in fact made when the fort was blown up. All 
that remained for the Common Council was to ascertain what 
disposition the British commander proposed to make of the 
captured town, and the negotiations undertaken for this 
purpose were magnified without reason into a formal surrender. 



38 

The captors seized the vessels in the harbor and plundered 
the warehouses of all the tobacco, flour, cotton and liquor 
thej found there. Two ships, two barques and a number of 
smaller vessels were loaded with the booty, which was estimated 
at 2,000 barrels of flour, 1,000 hogsheads of tobacco, 250 
bales of cotton and $5,000 worth of wines, &c. The whole 
of this capture is yet at the bottom of the ocean for the 
vessels were sunk soon after leaving the capes of the 
Chesapeake. 

When peace came in 1815, Alexandria had lost all chance 
of competition with Baltimore ; for the war which weakened 
Alexandria strengthened the Monumental city. Its Battle 
Monument, reared to commemorate the successful defence 
made by its citizens against a foreign foe at North Point 
marks, too, an event which lies at the foundation of Baltimore's 
pre-eminence. The lyric of Key, born, when at Fort McHenry, 
" The rockets red glare and bombs bursting in air 
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there," 
vivified the bunting, and thenceforth the patriotic music of 
the star spangled banner shook out from the folds of the 
American flag wherever it was unfurled. American vessels 
thenceforward hung not a flag only, but a lyric at their 
mastheads. And wherever the flag waved, — wherever the 
star spangled banner was sung, it told, as it still tells, of 
Baltimore — and of what men esteem, the pearl of great 
price — of success. Backed by this favorable condition of 
public opinion, the enterprise of Baltimore grew in a buoyant 
atmosphere to colossal proportions, and soon distanced 
Alexandria in the race of material progress. But if when Key 
and his companions looked out ''in the dawn's early light," 
they had seen Fort McHenry a heap of ruins, dismantled and 
abandoned by its defenders, and the city militia ordered not 



39 

to North Point, but to Frederick, the sack of Baltimore might 
have been but the beginning of misfortunes, that would have 
transferred commerce and future greatness to Annapolis. 

Alexandria had now too an overwhelming rival nearer at 
hand. Washington city was already drawing population and 
trade from the Virginia side, and taking from Alexandria the 
little chance of prosperity still left. Against this rival the 
town was absolutely without defence. The wealth of the 
Union was used to build up the Federal Capital, but few and 
far between were the dollars spent in the Virginia portion of 
the District of Columbia. Deprived of the powerful aid which 
connection with Virginia would have afforded, the town 
remained in a corner of the District a useless adjunct to the 
Federal territory. Whatever favors Congress conferred were 
given to Washington, and Alexandria beheld the growth of 
other cities without power to imitate them. Under these circum- 
stances the city authorities did all that was within their power. 
Streets were extended and improved, the town lighted in the 
manner then usual, with oil lamps, and 1817 the market 
building with the cupola and town clock was erected. Long 
the graceful steeple towered, '-a heart of iron beating within," 
and the clock told the hours of birth and death, of joy and 
sorrow as they passed over Alexandria. At seven and at 
ONE its clangor awoke other bells which morning and afternoon 
called men to labor ; while stroke of twelve or chime of six, 
bade the trowel drop, and the hammer rest beside the anvil. 
Nightly as it struck ten the sonorous horns of the outgoing 
watch heralded silence and sleep. Many pleasant associations 
grew up around the old clock, and when in 1871 it was burned, 
the public spirit of a private citizen, quietly renewed the 
tower and clock as symetrical and graceful as before. The 
town thanks him no less because he has refused to allow his 
name to be made public. 



m 

In 1817 the first town debt was created by a small 
loan to the Corporation from one of the banks, and this debt 
had in 1819 swelled to $74,710.20. On the 31st of May, 
1875 it had grown to ?1, 079,014.77. I have been requested 
to announce that the funding scheme, which has been on foot 
for some time was completed this afternoon and that hereafter 
the interest on the bonds of the city will be reduced to three 
per cent. [This called up Aldermen H. Strauss who in a neat 
address congratulated the community upon the funding, and 
was warmly applauded.] 

The Great Fire of 1827 began at Green's cabinet factory 
on Royal street, a few yards south of King, on the morning of 
January 18th. There was a strong gale from the North West 
and the weather was intensely cold, the thermometer ranging 
from 10 to 20 degrees above zero. Cinders weighing half a 
pound were swept from the place of fire into the river and the 
flames burned through the town to the foot of Duke street 
destroying 53 houses and occasioning a loss of $103,000. 
There w^as no hose in use then, no hydrants ; but long lines 
of men stood ranged from the pumps passing along leather 
fire buckets that were emptied into engines that stood close to 
the fire and played upon the flames from elevations upon the 
engine called galleries. But, [addressing the fire companies 
present] volunteer firemen, notwithstanding all the disadvan- 
tages under which your fathers labored for want of applian- 
ces such as you possess they were firemen whose devotion to 
duty you may well emulate. So long as the names of John 
A. Roach, J. Carson Green, Geo. Plain, David Appich, 
Robert J. Taylor, Wm. Evans and James Keene, who died at 
the fire of 1855, in the path of public duty, remain to be 
cherished, your promptiture and courage in that path of duty, 
transmitted, as time rolls on, to be repeated in your successors, 



4.i 

Till be a monument for them more enduring than the marble 
at Ivy Hill that bears their names. It is your unique boast, 
Firemen of Alexandria, which cannot be gainsaid, that the 
toremost man in all, the files of time, after having led in war, a 
continent to freedom and ruled in peace as first President of 
the United States, performed his last act of public duty, as a 
fireman, in Alexandria. 

But I have digressed, and I return to my narrative. The 
Old Potomac Company, formed under the auspices of Gen. 
Washington in 1784, to improve the navigation of the river 
above tide water, by which it had been designed to lock boats 
around the falls and rapids and to pass them on to Alexandria 
by a channel on the Virginia side of Analostan Island and 
then by a canal made between Alexander's Island and the 
main shore crossing by what is now Roach's Spring and Fort 
Runyon, had been shown incapable of competing with the 
gigantic canal which was crossing New York ; so in 1820 the 
Chesapeake and Chio Canal was designed, and in 1829, '30, 
the plan of the Alexandria Aqueduct crossing the Potomac 
on granite piers based on the rocky bed of the river and thus 
connecting the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal with Alexandria 
by a lateral canal, was begun. The ten or twelve years which 
were required to complete it were years of hope for Alexan- 
dria. Indeed the town had nothing left but hope. After the 
first decade of its entrance into the District, of Columbia, its 
population, which from 1790 to 1800 had grown from 2,746 to 
4,971 or nearly doubled, had from 1820 to 1830, increased but 
25 souls and from 1830 to 1840 only 196 souls. The town had 
in 1820, 8,218 inhabitants and in 1840 only 8,459. The hopes 
excited by the canal proved vain. It was completed, but 
Georgetown, nine miles nearer the sources of its commerce 
reaped the harvest. It was then Alexandria, isolated in one 



42 

corner of the District of Columbia, was about to decrease 
instead of increasing her population ; an earnest appeal 
was made to the State of Virginia, and in 1846 the 
General Assembly opened the arms of the Commonwealth 
to her long estranged child; the Federal Government 
consented, and the voters of the town approved, and in 
September, 1846, with processions, bon-fires and illumi- 
nations, and a celebration extending over three days, 
Alexandria became a Virginia town. At once the heart 
and hand of Virginia were opened to our relief. The 
movements in relation to retrocession were much promoted by 
Francis L. Smith, Robert Brockettand Charles T. Stuart, the 
son of the first is our Mayor, vigilant and active, the son of 
the second, our capable Auditor, and the grandson of the 
third our late Judge. The state by purchasijig at par 
valueless bonds of the Alexandria Canal held by the town, at 
once took off three fifths of the Corporation debt. Thencefor- 
ward, with a lavish hand, the resources of the Commonwealth 
were expended in the gigantic effort to make the town, which 
had gone prospering into the District, but had come back 
decaying and a beggar, a growing Virginia city. Thanks to 
state aid the Orange and Alexandria railroad with its exten- 
sions, the Manassas Gap Railroad, and the Alexandria, 
Loudoun & Hampshire Railroad were begun, and hundreds of 
miles constructed. An era of prosperity began. Over one 
hundred houses were built in a single year. Many exceed- 
ingly large and fine one? including the Pioneer Mills, the 
Cotton Factory and lar^i^e warehouses alonoj the river front 
were erected. In June, 1860 there were seventy seven 
manufacturing establishments in operation, employing 785 
hands and producing from raw material valued at $91,000 
manufactured articles worth $860,000. This was a good 
beginning. 



43 

During the same year there came to this port direct from 
foreign pans seventy vessels with a tonna^re of 18,743 tons. 
We sent direct to foreign parts $258,889 and imported goods 
worth $273,924 at custom houses values. The actual value 
was over a million and a half dollars, guano for instance was 
rated at $1 per ton when it was worth $45 per ton. In the 
two years, 1856 — 1857, the town exported direct $1,226,095. 
This with the coastwise trade in coal and other articles made 
the port husy. In the first decade of our return to Virginia 
the population of the town, a sure meter of its progress, 
increased from 8,795 to 11,206, being an increase of 2,411, 
or over twelve times the increase made in the last full decade 
spent in the District of Columbia. The future was full of 
promise. Our main reliance for commercial prosperity was 
upon the Valley of Virginia. Alexandria is the natural 
outlet of its trade. The waters which "the mountains milk 
from the clouds" to fill the springs that feed the Shenandoah, 
the Cacapons, the Opequan and the myriad highland 
aflluents of the Potomac, all flow past our wharves. It was 
once a law of trade to follow the waters. But the artifice of 
man creates channels of communication, beside which natural 
channels become valueless, and the contest for the trade of 
the Valley became a contest of railway enterprise. To reach 
Harrisonburg or Staunton was thought to be all that was 
needed to put our commerce beyond the reach of chance. 
Holding the door, throu^^h which the World must reach an 
immense region that might be the granary of a continent, 
Alexandria would be assured of a business, which added to 
the coal trade, would draw capital, and enable us to assure 
prosperity to those who cast their lot with us. Holding food 
and fire for millions in its hands, Alexandria might well 
expect to renew its commercial importance. It was a just 



^4 

hope. It was more than a hope. It was a wellfounded 
expectation. Baltimore, it is true, with one of her iron arms 
grasping the Northern edge of her state and holding fast to 
the Ohio, waited at Winchester the opportunity to push 
her road to Strasburg and intercept the Valley trade. Alex- 
andria strong in the favor of the Commonwealth, which her 
trade would help to build up, was sure of protection until the 
Manassas road was complete to Harrisonburg and commercial 
connections formed, that would never be broken. 

This was the outlook of the town in 1860. The iron-rails 
to make the connection with Harrisonburg complete, were 
piled on our wharves, where stood, on the 2oth of May, 1861, 
the Virginia pickets, whose warning guns announced the 
movement in force of the troops of the United States, who 
occupied the town. Alexandria become, as it had been during 
the Revolutionary War, a hospital-town. Its churches and 
larger buildings were turned into 

'* Wards, with whitewashed walls, 
Where the dead and the dying lay." 

Agonies unspeakable here racked many a gallant spirit. 
Thousands came to depart no more, and on the green hillside 
that looks out upon the heights their forts once crowned, 
they sleep their last sleep. 

Thenceforward commerce was ended. A blockade was 
declared, and the iron rails bought to finish the Manassas 
road, seized and sent off to make a military railroad near 
Bethel and Fortress Monroe. VV^hen the war ended, all 
chance of Alexandria's exclusive connexion with the Valley of 
Virginia was ended too. Baltimore helped to rebuild the road, 
and controlled it. The connection between Winchester and 
Strasburg was made, and managed for the interest of that 
great city whose enterprise, capital and favorable situation at 



46 



the close of the war, gave her a pre-eminence which, as it is 
vain to contest, we may rejoice, has fallen to a people so 
nearly allied to us in sympathies and sentiment. 

When the war was over the census of 1870 found that our 
white population had <lecreased 659 and that the fortune of 
war had thrown over 3,000 colored people into our midst, 
waifs cast on our shore for guidance, help and instruction. 

Well, we know our recent years ; a peaceful, contented and 
happy community, with schools and churches and all the 
advantages of a city, and few of a city's vices. But late years 
have not been prosperous years. And what shall I say of the 
future ? Who shall lift us from our low estate ? I turn mine 
eyes to the mountains and I see two giants coming— Coal 
and Iron. When we look ahead through a long period of 
time we must enlarge our vision. These hills, Mt. Eagle, 
Shuter's Hill, Federal Hill, Arlington, Georgetown Heights 
and the Highlands aback of Washington, and the Maryland 
hei-hts down to Oxen Hill lock us in with Georgetown, 
Washington and the neighboring communities. Desiring no 
further political connection with them than we now have, it 
is certain too, that with them our future is linked. 

I look in vain if I do not see that the cultivation of literature 
and the fine arts are mounting the hills to the west and north 
of us. They will leave us to work in the valley below, at the 
water's edge. The Theological Seminary will invite com- 
panionship with Keble and Heber, with Ken and Taylor. 
The University of Georgetown will have men like Xavier 
and Montelembert, like De Vico and Carroll. Columbian 
University will send out pupils as self sacrificing as Henry 
Martyn and encourage scholars ripe as Wellin^^Howard 
""^^Tl^^enun^aTi^n ofUi'eTens^s on^^ completed, shows the 
population of Alexandria to be 13,616. 



46 

University, an institution without a past, may give to 
mathematics another Baneker and a novelist that excels 
Dumas. The new Corcoran school of design will train future 
artists and an academy of music, yet unbuilt, make American 
music ; but we shall be afar oif in the valley below, at the 
water's edge. Literature will not be for us, but we will not 
want it, for I see two giants coming — coal and iron. We 
shall make new schools. Our academies shall be schools of 
applied science,— workshops that will keep the arm strong 
and feed the busy brain with thoughts that will leap out into 
inventions like Minerva from the brain of Jupiter. This is 
our hope, and when another century shall have passed, and 
my bones and yours are bleaching in yonder grave yard, the 
orator of Alexandria's next Centennial in 1980 shall tell that 
when the good ship Alexandria, that with all sails set, started 
in 1780, was, in 1880 ashore, rudderless, bilged, and plucked 
by wreckers, — all hope of commerce gone, her crew did not 
despair, but went ashore and set the land aflame with their 
furnace fires, plucked prosperity with strong arms from the 
mountains' stony depths, and renewed the town. And he 
will say : Take the ship from the town seal — let it be her 
emblem no more — Ocean Commerce is gone, but place there 
a figure of the bloomery that was first lit at the water's edge 
in 1880 — one hundred years ago, and with it the motto that 
shall tell that Alexandria has, 

"Plucked from the mountain's crevice, as a flow' ret of the soil, 

The nobility of labor, — the long pedigree of toil." 



And after music by the Alexandria Musical Association 
the assembly separated. 



47 



THE BANQUET. 

The public meeting over, there assembled in the parlors of 
Mr. George Steuernagel's Exchange, where a banquet took 
place, a large number of guests. The rooms were decorated 
with flags, and the tables spread by Mr. Steuernagle could not 
be excelled. E. E. Downham, esq., presided and Major 
George Dufl'ey acted as toast master. Toasts were drank and 
responded to by Henry Strauss, Charles E. Stuart, Thomas 
V. Risheill, S. Chapman Neale, R. L. Carne, and others. 
The company then dispersed and retired to dream of the next 
Centennial. 



48 



REPORT OF CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE. 

To the City Council: 

The Committee appointed on the 24th February last to 
make arrangements for a public meeting for celebrating the 
Centennial Anniversary of the formation of the Municipal 
Government of this City, to occur on the 9th of March, 
1880, and inviting William F. Came, esq., to deliver an 
address illustrating the history of Alexandria, respectfully 
report that they duly notified Mr. Carne of the passage of the 
resolution, and requested his acceptance of the invitation. 
They, also, invited Henry B. Whittington, esq., to deliver a 
poem suitable to the occasion. 

The arrangements for the celebration embraced a parade 
by the Military, the Fire Department, and other organizations, 
and although hurriedly gotten up was one of the most 
gratifying exhibitions of the kind ever seen in this city, 
noted as it is for the patriotism, and love of home of the 
people. 

Trusting that old "Father Time," and the Doctors may 
spare us, and each member of the City Council, to see the 
next Centennial^ we respectfully recommend the adoption of 
the following joint resolutions: 

1st. That William F. Carne esq., and Henry B. Whitting- 
ton, esq., be requested to furnish the City Council with a copy 
of the Address, and Poem delivered by them respectively, 
with a view to their publication by the Auditor in the next 
Municipal report. 



49 

2nd. That the thanks of the City Council are due and are 
hereby tendered to the Military, the Fire Department, the 
Alexandria Musical Association, the Alexandria Cornet Band 
and other organizations for their attendance, and splendid 
display, which added so much to the success of the Centennial 
Celebration of the 9th instant. 

ThOS. V. RiSHEILL, 

Henry Strauss, 
John P. Rice, 
M. McLean, 
Report adopted by Board of Aldermen, March 23, 1880. 

J. J. Jamieson, Clerk. 
Action of the Board of Aldermen concurred in by the 
Common Council, March 23, 1880. 

James R. Caton, Clerk. 



Joint Committee 
on the Centennial. 



Notes to ths Centennial Poem. 

[See Tage 22.] 



■:o:- 



'^Murray's Fife or Peter Logan's Drum. 

Murray unci 



muster days/' and especially on the "i-id of February and the tourtli (»I 
July _niareli at daybreak through all the Streets of the to\vn with drum 
and 'fife, summoning the soldiers to prepare for parade to the great 
delight of the little ones Ayho invariably had holiday on such occasions. 

Later in life Peter stole a pig from a countryman in the market. He 
was arrested by Constable Bowie, taking before Justice Adam Faw, (the 
terror of evil doers, boys particularly,) and sent to Jail. Shortly after 
his arrest Peter died. 

^\Josepii Williams," alias Go^t. 

Joseph Williams otherwise known as "Joe Goat,'' had served in th«^ 
war of the revolution, and on all parade days appeared in cocked hi^t ^ind 
full reo-imentals, heading the procession, accompanied by his aid, "Gallant 
Tim " also a revolutionary soldier, both colored. When Lafayette 
revisited Alexandria in 1824 he recognized Joe as his former drum major, 
of which Joe was very proud. The Washington Society, always celebra- 
ted Washington's Birthday at the City Hotel (Royal Street ) closing with 
a Ball at night, Joe Goat marched behind the Society, on these occasions 
and on their entering the Hotel his services ended. On the 4th ot July. 
I80O, there was a public dinner at Bromilaw, which overlooked Hunting 
Creek south of the Catholic Cemetery. The "Blues"' Capt. Washington 
C P'i«-e officers of militia and citizens participated m the festivities whicl) 
grew fn 'merriment until Joe Goat was elected by acclamation temporary 
captain, and mounted upon the horse of one of the Marshals. The Oom- 
i)anv and guests then in great glee marched into town with Joe Goat- like 
the Lord of Misrule in the Old English Christmas festivities, at their head 
and excited shouts of laughter wherever the grotesque procession appeared 
in the streets of the town. Among those who marched that day under 
Joe Goat were our well known and staid citizens Reuben Johnston, VV . 
AV. Harper, Robert Bell and Cassius F. Lee. The boys were often 
heralds of Joe's appearance and hailed him with 

"Old Joe Goat stole a shoat, 

Carried it down to the Ferry boat. 

And sold it for a dollar note." 
Joe died shortly after 18?>0, on Prince Street, nearly opposite the Old 
Farmers Bank of Virginia formerly the Bank of the Potomac 

'•Nick Ransall." 

A simple fellow wht) dressed in the most Aintastic style, invanably 
brought up the rear of all military processions. He was pertectly 
harmless and being a great favorite, was frequently allowed to {lecomprtny 
serenading i)arties, and upon one occasion— it being the 4tli ot July— he 
was given a glass of punch (of which he was very fond) his toast wa.< 
'«May the 4th July come every day." 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 






III nil mil II III i iiiiiiiiiiiiiii 

014 443 152 2 « 



mm 



;^i.-:*.. 
C---V- 












. C4] 






,■^^. 



